The Armagh Inter-Diocesan Marriage Tribunal subscribes to the National Safeguarding Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland, March 2016. The Child Safeguarding policy is underpinned by the paramountcy principle, which safeguards the welfare of children and young people over all other rights and responsibilities, and by Gospel values. It makes it clear that every child must be protected and the policy is designed to create a safe and positive environment for children and show that the Church is taking its duty of care and responsibility seriously. The Standards and Guidance is underpinned by adherence to the requirements of Children First in the Republic of Ireland, The Children (NI) Order in Northern Ireland, and their associated procedures.

Similarly, best practice within Safeguarding Adults at risk of harm or adults in need of protection also requires a commitment to keeping them safe from harm and exploitation and upholding their rights.REPORTING POLICYThe person within the AIMT who has overall responsibility regarding concerns, suspicion or allegation of abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult and issues regarding the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults is currently the Judicial Vicar, the Reverend Joseph Rooney JCL,

When an allegation or suspicion of abuse of a child, domestic violence or statutory offences such as a sexual assault is received (including historical allegations) the Judicial Vicar delegates the responsibility of reporting to the Designated Officer for the Armagh Inter-Diocesan Marriage Tribunal.

The role of this Designated Officer is to consult and liaise with the civil authorities in relation to the management of the allegation, namely; the reporting of a concern, suspicion or allegation to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and/or Health and Social Care Trust/TUSLA / An Gardai Siochana and Diocesan/Order Designated Officers if appropriate.

Any member of the Tribunal personnel who receives a concern, suspicion or allegation of abuse, domestic violence and some statutory offences (e.g. sexual assault) will record the following information:

Name of the individual about whom the allegation is made and any other significant information.

Date & Time of the allegation.

Name and contact details of the person making the allegation.

A summary of the key information provided by the individual making the allegation.

It is important to remember that any member of the Tribunal personnel who receives information about potential abuse will not and should not investigate the matter but merely receive, record and report the information to the Designated Officer of the AIMT. The AIMT Safeguarding Recording Form should be used for the purpose of recording the information and notifying the concern to the Designated Officer.

The Designated Officer will consider the information provided on the Safeguarding Recording Form and refer it to the relevant Statutory Authority in line with their standards and thresholds for reporting. Where there is any doubt as to whether the matter meets the relevant thresholds or whether the matter has previously been reported and dealt with, the Designated Officer will liaise with the Statutory Authority and agree if any further action is required.

All Safeguarding documentation will be retained and filed in the AIMT Regional Office in line with Statutory Requirements for the Storing and Retention of Confidential Information.

Any person making an allegation, whether petitioner, respondent and/or witness(es), should be aware that allegations of abuse which are not already reported or known or shared with the appropriate authorities will be referred to them without exception.

I confirm that I have read and understood the above Safeguarding Child Protection/Adult Reporting Policy of the Armagh Inter-Diocesan Marriage Tribunal and accept that if deemed appropriate, information of a safeguarding nature will be shared between the AIMT and the civil authorities.

Signed: ______________________

Date: ______________________

Witness: ______________________

Date: ______________________

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